St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-08-11
THE MYSTERIOUS TOUCH.
Pittebtfro BulIefzn.

discoveries, out nave naQ some eXpe-
riences that mystiied me. Among
them was one of apparently an mex
plicable nature, which it is here my
purpose to relate.
1 remember once, some years ago,
while seated in my study, bending
over a desk, hand was laid upon my
shoulder. 1t was my wife's custom
(my late hours bothered Laura) to
rouse me at times in this manner, and
when | turned in answer to the sum
mons, it was with the expectation OF
seeing her behind my chair. Turning
slowly about l answered, "COming,
Laura" To my amaZement the room
was empty! had heard no football,
no voice, but had merely felt the touch
of hand upon my shoulder, gentle, it
is true, light, as Laura's touch always
is, but unmistakable | had not been
in a doze, it was not fancy | had been
touched by hand.
| confess that upon turning around
and finding nothing, | was startled.
sat moment in thought, seeking to
bring the occurrence within the range
of comprehension. My brain was clear,
every faculty active. Going to the
door | opened it and called up the
| halfway IN low voice
| Laura !"
| No answer.
l called again, my voice echOing
strangely. The hour was late. Laura
was evidently asleep.
/ resumed my seat at the desk, but
could not continue writing. My
thoughts were vague and scattered
The mysterious touch upon the shout
der filed me with strange emotions.
What explanation was there for it 4
No human hand had touched me had
l felt the impress of spirit hand
Ridiculous L laughed outright at the
idea. Mystified, dissatisfied, l closed
the desk, put out the light and went
up to my bedroom.
Lighting lamp that stood on the
bureau, looked at Laura. She lay in
sound sleep, her calm, sweet face part
ly averted. l gently reused her, had
her sit up, assured myself that she was
thoroughly awake, and then asked:
"Laura, have you been long asleep?''
Gully an hour" she replied, look
ing at me wOnderingly. elias any
thing happened, George 2"
care you sure there is nobody in
the house but ourselves 2" [ continued.
"Who could there be, George? Tell
me what has happened"
Seeing my puzzled expression, she
smiled, looked at me quizzically, and
kissed me. L felt angry with myself
for having walked her yet glad to have
her sweet cOmpaniOnship.
"Laura," | began, conscious that l
was about to make a very foolish state
ment, 81 have just had an experience
that | cannot explain. You know
what my views are on the subject of
the supernatural"
She interrupted me with a pleasant
laugh-a pleasant, girlish laugh that
did me good. Taking my hand in
both her own, she said:
ooh, George, really thought it was
something serious. Was it only a
ghost 2"
"Pray be serious, Laura. While l
sat at my desk, few moments ago, a
hand touched me on the shoulder, just
as you have done hundred times.
More than that, Laura, it was your
touch"
"You fancied it, George"
~ felt the touch, Laura, as surely as
[ feel the pressure of your hands at
this moment. There was no decep-
ton it was not a delusiOn IL hand
touched me. Who was it? What
was it z"
Laura glanced quickly over her shout
der, as nervous people are apt to do
when alone in the house late at night.
81 wonder if the house is haunted y
she Queried, laughingly.
L went to bed but not to sleep.
The incident, trivial as it may seem,
mystifed and worried me. 1t called
for an explanation, which [ could not
give. There was no superstitiOus fear
to it, my reason rebelled at any but a
natural solution of the mystery, and /
exhausted my ingenuity in endeavOr-
ing to reach such Il solution. Ireview-
ed the occurrence over and over again.
1t is impossible to picture here my IN
speakable amazement, when, touched
upon the shoulder by soft hand,
turned and found behind me-nOthing
The mystery became part of my
dreams.
A few nights after this incident Oc-
CURED | was again writing at my desk.
A chill air was blowing through the
wire screen at my side. 1t had grown
late, but not later than it was my GUS
tom to work. Without football, voice
or warning, the touch came again upon
the same shoulder and in the same
manner. | felt it as plainly as l ever
felt the touch of human hand. Quick
as flash | turned, rising to my feet to
prevent any possibility of hiding or es-
cape. The room was empty the door
remained closed as had left it,
Did you ever turn fiercely to strike
an enemy back of you, and ind-nO-
thing? | was not frightened; anger
was the predominant feeling. | was
conscious of being the victim of Il
shrewd deception. l felt that this
mysterious presence, this nameless
and immaterial something, was mimi
cal to me. l was eager to materialize
it, corner it, understand it. 1t would
have delighted me to learn that | was
the victim of a practical joke, rs that
would have barred the supernatural.
"Laura" l cried, going to the door.
In u few minutes l heard the rustic
of her dress on the stairway.
"What is it, George 2" she asked, as
she burst eagerly into the room.
"Something has touched me on the
shoulder again." l replied. "What
can it be 7"
81 wish l knew" said Laura, draw
ing very near 10 me, anu looking ABOUT
the room with a mystified and fright
ened expression. "I'm sure can't see
anything"
"Were you asleep when l called 2"
"NO, l was reading"
'Did you hear anything 7"
''NOt a sound. Sit down at your
desk again, George, just as you sat
when the hand touched you. l lave
an idea.n
did so, bending over it in the act
of writing.
Laura annroached me softly. | could |